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Mullins Message Nov. 2015

Sometimes I am surprised God answers prayer.I am reminded of the disciples praying when
Peter was in prison. (Acts 12) God miraculously released him. When Peter
appeared at the prayer meeting, they were amazed. For several months some of my
students in my Saturday class have been praying. They were asking God that I
would have more opportunity to teach the larger group of men in the ministry
they are associated with. I prayed too, but had little hope that it would
happen.

My first
surprisecame when the
director invited me to come to teach over 30 men at the ministry location.
Because I never thought it would happen, I had not given the details much
thoughtful consideration. Now that the invitation existed, I lacked peace about
accepting it. I cautiously inched forward, but inwardly I could think of a half
dozen reasons why it would not work out well. After a long delay I finally met
with the director of the mission to discuss my concerns. During the meeting
God's grace prevailed. Every obstacles I considered a “deal breaker” was
totally resolved. After the meeting, the invitation stood. Not wanting to be
hasty, I asked to have a couple of days to pray about it.

The next
surprisewas realizing as I
prayed that I had been looking for excuses to not accept the invitation. God
seemingly had answered my prayer for open doors for ministry and I was looking
for a way out . . . at least that is how it seemed. So I accepted the
invitation. Last week I held my first class. I taught about the need to have
faith in order to please God . . . for almost two hours. I was encouraged to
hear some of the men say, “Wow, the time went by so fast.” Please pray with me
regarding this ministry; specifically that I would be able to faithfully teach
the Word of God without needlessly disrupting the unity of the body. I will try
not to be surprised when God answers this prayer; I will just keep reminding
myself that what is not possible is man is possible with God.

Our primary ministry continues to be at CanaanChurch. We are so thankful for the ministry there
and the opportunities that God provides. Recently we held a harvest party
outreach focused on the children in the area. Again I was praying, but I really
doubted we would have much of a turn out. What a pleasant surprise that God
answered prayers. The church was comfortably full and many visitors came.
Please pray for effective followup with the new contacts and that God would
cause the seeds to grow that were planted that night.

Please also be praying as we have just
begun a program specifically equipping individuals in the church to do
discipleship in small groups and one on one. For years we have been emphasizing
that the purpose of the church is to make disciples and this is an attempt to
encourage this in very practical ways. Jeff has also recently started a home
Bible study in their neighborhood. Please pray.

We are so thankful that Canaan
Church is connected so
significantly with extension ministries. Three missionary couples have gone out
from the church in recent years and the church continues to be involved in the
ministries of those couple. Of course, the coming of the Ketterlings to Longview
and starting of Longview Deaf
Church this past year has been a
significant outreach. Canaan is the backdrop for this
ministry and provides many practical functions that frees us the missionaries
to do their work. Canaan church allows and encourage
both Mary and I (Mary more than Jeff) to
devote much time and energy to reaching the deaf with the Gospel. Please
continue to pray for this ministry.

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Sermon Excerpt::

Titus 1:15-16

To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.